Scott Wolf: What were you doing before you were Ambassador?

Michelle Tryon Schneider: Actually, the year I was selected as Ambassador I was working at the (Disney) University, so we were doing the classes, orientations, management training, that kind of thing.

You said, "The year I was selected..." Were you doing something with Disney before the university?

MTS: I actually was Ambassador in 1995 and I started with Disney in 1984. I spent eight years in entertainment, had a wonderful time, kind of bopped around, did a lot of different roles there and then I moved into HR for a few years, worked in casting and I was promoted into the university.

What did you do in entertainment?

MTS: I started as a parade performer for Donald Duck's Birthday in 1984 so I did a lot of ribbon waving and flag twirling and lots of really fun things for a young person. I had a wonderful time and got introduced to the entertainment group at Disneyland. That became my social circle and my inspiration. I had a wonderful time.

And you became Ambassador in 1995?

MTS: Yes. It was a great year. It was the first time that they had introduced the team concept which really made it possible for me, having moved into more of a salaried role at the time, now this was something where I could keep my position and still participate in the program with the team so it was a really good fit for me at the time.

Do you have any favorite memories from being Ambassador?

MTS: So many, it's hard to list them all, but the ones that really jump to mind are committing the Time Castle for the 40th anniversary. We had Roy Disney, Jr. and a number of the Disney Legends there like Marc Davis, and they came out and they read some of the original welcome speech from Walt's dedication of the park. We buried a Time "Castle" (a time capsule in the shape of a castle) in front of the castle. So hopefully if I'm around in another thirty five years or so they'll actually take that out and we'll get to see some really nice pieces from that moment.

It was an exciting day, I was there that day.

MTS: Yeah, it was really neat. It was a great year. We opened Indiana Jones, we celebrated the 40th anniversary, and we did the first live show that the Ambassadors had actually hosted in front of the castle, so every day an Ambassador was out there wishing a happy birthday to the park and inviting the Guests to participate in that. It was a great experience all around so I have nothing but wonderful memories from the year.

What did you do after you were Ambassador?

MTS: After that I actually went to work for Tokyo Disneyland. We were opening the second gate, Tokyo DisneySea so I was working for business and financial affairs so I got to do some business trips over there and a lot about working with the different culture, and I have to tell you, that is one fabulous park. If you ever have the chance to visit...

I've been to Tokyo Disneyland but haven't yet been to DisneySea.

MTS: They really spared no imagination. It was just so neat. Any wonderful idea was developed fully for that park and when you walk through it you really feel fully immersed in the concept. It's beautiful. It's pristine and gorgeous and I think Walt would have been really pleased with that product, it was wonderful.

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